Since their founding in 2004, The Singers has premiered and commissioned nearly forty new works, debuting pieces by such composers as Stephen Paulus, Eleanor Daly and Craig Carnahan, as well as three composers-in-residence, Abbie Betinis, Jocelyn Hagen and Joshua Shank. Founding Artistic Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton has an impressive resume, including being a member, Music Advisor, Assistant Conductor and Bass Section Leader of the Dale Warland Singers. 'Mid-Winter Songs' is a 21-song collection of the works of Morten Lauridsen, including the 5-song 'Les Chansons des Roses,' 'Three Psalms,' 'Four Madrigals on Renaissance Texts,' five 'Mid-Winter Songs' and four 'Nocturnes,' some are piano accompanied. We have always loved Lauridsen, and enjoyed every cut of the album, as well as reading the extensive liner notes, which contain all the lyrics and some very interesting notes by Morten about his music.

Renowned founding Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton has led his 40-strong, mixed-voice ensemble through five years of remarkable live performances in their native Minnesota and other concert venues, and 'Wanting Memories,' (the song itself written and composed by Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock) is a 'best of' album of work since the group's founding in 2004. Other favorites among these 17 pieces are J. Aaron McDonald's 'Te lucis ante terminum,' 'Three Motets, Op. 37' by Charles Villiers Stanford, Abbie Betinis' 'To the Evening Star,' a pair by Gerald Finzi, 'My Spirit Sang All Day' and 'I Have Loved Flowers that Fade,' Duke Ellington's 'Mood Indigo,' Rodgers & Hart's 'My Romance,' Stephen Schwartz' 'For Good' (from Wicked) and Dubin/Warren's 'Lullaby of Broadway.' A beautiful and fun collection from The Singers, one of the midwest's great Choral ensembles!

Talented and renowned founding Artistic Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton founded The 40-strong, mixed-voice Singers in 2004, and since then they have proven their dedication to the work of contemporary composers by premiering and commissioning nearly 40 new works by such names as Eleanor Daly, Craig Carnahan and Stephen Paulus. Paulus, one of our favorite composers, is the focus of 'Splendid Jewel,' which features 14 of the composer's pieces. Ten songs are World Premiere recordings, 'Arise My Love,' 'Alleluia,' 'God's World,' 'The Spring and the Fall,' 'Kin to Sorrow,' 'Afternoon on a Hill,' 'Calming the Storm,' 'All Things are Passing,' 'Hymn to the Eternal Flame' and 'The Day is Done.' Beautiful and moving new Stephen Paulus pieces from the talented Singers!

'Shout the Glad Tidings' is a beautiful, sumptuous Christmas album by Minnesota-based 'The Singers,' led by founding Artistic Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton. The 25 songs include traditional carols like 'Once in Royal David's City,' 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' 'Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,' 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel,' 'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming,' 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' and 'Angels We Have Heard on High;' and lesser known but equally lovely works like 'Of the Father's Love Begotten,' Morten Lauridsen's 'O Nat Lux,' William Walker's 'The Babe of Bethlehem,' 'El Rorro' (The Babe), Ned Rorem's title tune, Arvo Part's 'Bogoroditse Dyevo,' Jack M. Jarrett's 'Go, Pretty Child,' and Culloton's nice piece, 'God's Mother Be.' The 40-strong, mixed-voice Singers are drawn from all around the state of Minnesota, and some songs have light accompaniment. We loved this varied, finely-crafted collection and bet that you will too!